MMA Fan’s Guide To The 2017/2018 Premier League

As the UFC begins its month long hiatus from action, the MMA fan might be feeling like there is a void left to fill. As luck would have it, the premier league starts this weekend and for the next ten months we can fill any holes in our schedule with humdingers like Man United vs. Chelsea and West Brom vs. Bournemouth.

The only problem is, maybe some MMA fans aren’t as familiar with their premier league teams as they are with the intricacies of a gogoplata. That’s where I come in to help. Here is a team-by-team guide to the premier league season starting this Friday.

Arsenal

Odds – 11/1

Fighter Equivalent – Frankie Edgar

Ex-champions with very vocal fans who are now struggling to reach the top.

***

Bournemouth

Odds – 750/1

Fighter Equivalent – Sage Northcutt

Really nice and friendly with potential but it’s a long way from coming.

***

Brighton

Odds – 750/1

Fighter Equivalent – Jeremiah Labiano

Don’t know much about them but we’ll probably know in a couple of months.

***

Burnley

Odds – 1000/1

Fighter Equivalent – Zach Freeman

Gritty, hard to beat and well able to pull off a shock against one of the bigger names.

***

Chelsea

Odds – 7/2

Fighter Equivalent – Amanda Nunes

Looked really strong champions last year but a few cracks have begun to emerge.

***

Crystal Palace

Odds – 500/1

Fighter Equivalent – Lando Vannata

Exciting attacking options but questions over consistency as the opposition improves.

***

Everton

Odds – 70/1

Fighter Equivalent – Volkan Oezdemir

Came out of nowhere but now seem to be actually pretty good.

***

Huddersfield Town

Odds – 1000/1

Fighter Equivalent – Artem Lobov

Not many people expected them to get to the top but they could rattle a few cages all the same.

Photo: Getty Images

Leicester City

Odds – 250/1

Fighter Equivalent – Matt Serra

Surprised everyone by winning the championship but it all went quickly downhill after that.

***

Liverpool

Odds – 11/1

Fighter Equivalent – Anderson Silva

Once the best, but no longer. Still holding on and hoping to recapture old glories.

***

Man City

Odds – 7/4

Fighter Equivalent – Jon Jones

The most gifted with the best head coach on the way back from a barren patch.

***

Man United

Odds – 10/3

Fighter Equivalent – Georges St-Pierre

Won it all and are on the way back to try and do it again.

Photo: Daily Star

Newcastle United

Odds – 500/1

Fighter Equivalent – BJ Penn

Their fans are the most passionate and hopeful but constantly find themselves disappointed these days.

***

Southampton

Odds – 250/1

Fighter Equivalent – Everyone Ever On Cage Warriors Roster

Really great organisation that you leave as soon as you become good.

***

Stoke City

Odds – 500/1

Fighter Equivalent – Joe Lauzon

Tough as nails but exciting to watch at the same time. Stuck at the mid level.

***

Swansea

Odds – 750/1

Fighter Equivalent – Yair Rodriguez

Play a very aesthetically pleasing game but that’s what can also be their downfall at times.

***

Tottenham Hotspur

Odds – 9/1

Fighter Equivalent – Tony Ferguson

Fun to watch with lots of talent but seem to be waiting too long to win a championship.

***

Watford

Odds – 1000/1

Fighter Equivalent – Melvin Guillard

Constantly changing coaches. Can’t have too much time left near the top.

***

West Brom

Odds – 750/1

Fighter Equivalent – Neil Seery

Hard working and tough with a never say die attitude.

***

West Ham

Odds – 250/1

Fighter Equivalent – Ricardo Lamas

A bit better than you give them credit for, but still actually not that good.

Photo: Google Images

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Lead MMA writer and analyst for SevereMMA. Co-host of the SevereMMA podcast, out every Tuesday. Economics and Mathematics graduate from UCC. Previously of hov-mma and fightbooth. As heard on 2FM, Red FM, Today FM and more.
Follow me on twitter for updates @SeanSheehanBA and on Facebook Facebook.com/seansheehanmma